An example of “see something, say something” resulted in Florida police discovering unexpected cargo in the back of a moving van in the district of a representative balking on the border crisis.
(Video: WPLG)
Cracking down on illegal aliens in the country remained a top priority of President-elect Donald Trump with many expecting action as soon as the day after his inauguration. Friday, as some lawmakers pushed back on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) call for a special session toward that end, the Coral Gables Police Department responded to an alleged abduction to find more than 20 foreign nationals in the back of a U-Haul van.
Speaking at a press conference, Coral Gables Police Chief Edward James Hudak Jr. explained that a security guard for a local homeowners association had spotted a person being loaded into the van and contacted police believing an abduction was in progress.
When the U-Haul van and a Toyota were pulled over, explained the chief, “Officers opened the back of the truck, which revealed 21 predominantly Chinese nationals,” as well as a Brazilian woman, Cuban man, and Ecuadorian man.
“We do believe these individuals were brought here by the water,” he said suggesting they’d been transported first by boat. “They were probably dropped off, we’re assuming somewhere around the southern end of Coral Gables and approached on foot to the van where they were loaded into.”
“This started off as a crime. The police department responded to that alleged crime by a very alert citizen. By that, I mean I think we saved some lives,” added Hudak.
In his own statement on the arrest, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass expressed, “Today’s event is a prime example of why FDLE is supportive of the governor’s proposed special session to tackle illegal immigration immediately.”
“The actions of law enforcement are an integral part in preventing these smuggling ventures that happen too frequently on our southern border,” added Glass.
#YourFDLE stood alongside @coralgablespd as Chief Hudak announced a joint law enforcement response to today’s human smuggling interception in Coral Gables. Commissioner Mark Glass said, “Today’s event is a prime example of why FDLE is supportive of the Governor’s proposed special… pic.twitter.com/15blCx4fw2
— FDLE (@fdlepio) January 17, 2025
DeSantis had called for the legislature to begin a special session on Jan. 27 “to appropriate funding for detention, relocation, transportation infrastructure, local law enforcement support, and everything else needed for Florida to carry out this mission.”
While some legislators had pushed back on the move from DeSantis, Trump was grateful for the proactive steps and posted to social media in response, “Thank you Ron, hopefully other Governors will follow!”
Thank you Ron, hopefully other Governors will follow!
Donald Trump Truth Social 11:46 AM EST 01/14/25 pic.twitter.com/Ko97u9T8x0
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 14, 2025
The governor had further defended the special session during a press conference Thursday where he named Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody as senator to replace Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio. In particular, the executive made note that action taken during the regular session would be implemented by July 1, and the illegal alien crisis required action at the first opportunity with a Republican trifecta in Washington, D.C.
As word of the bust circulated, syndicated radio host Dana Loesch was among those pointing out that the van had been discovered in state Rep. Vicki Lopez’s (R) district, “the same lawmaker who tried to shut down discussion of illegal immigration during a Wednesday subcommittee meeting,” while sharing reaction from DeSantis who’d said, “Crazy to see the GOP supermajority in the House shut down discussion about illegal immigration. Members tell voters during their campaigns that they will fight illegal immigration but then get into office and stymie our agency heads who advocate doing something about it.”
On X, the governor shared his own response to the Coral Gables van full of foreign nationals who were transported to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and said, “We can — and we must — end this charade by making illegal immigration illegal again…”
We can — and we must — end this charade by making illegal immigration illegal again… https://t.co/BFEtQmoy1O
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) January 17, 2025
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